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Laura B. Forker, Shawnee K. Vickery and Cornelia L.M. Droge
Quality is consistently listed as one of manufacturing’s top competitive priorities and has become a prerequisite for success in the global marketplace. Quality helps a firm gain…
Abstract
Quality is consistently listed as one of manufacturing’s top competitive priorities and has become a prerequisite for success in the global marketplace. Quality helps a firm gain a competitive advantage by delivering goods to the marketplace that meet customer needs, operate in their intended manner, and continuously improve quality dimensions in order to “surprise and delight” the customer. While quality’s significance has been emphasized for years, the contribution of quality to business performance has been largely unexplored. Results of a survey sent to the furniture industry show that quality dimensions ‐ especially design quality and product improvement ‐ are highly correlated with business performance. Quality remains the foundation of competitive advantage, even if a firm’s short‐term attention has drifted to speed‐to‐market, cost reduction and other concerns.
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Gustavo Barboza, Laura Gavinelli, Valerien Pede, Alice Mazzucchelli and Angelo Di Gregorio
The purpose is to detect the nonlinearity wholesale rice price formation process in Italy in the 1995–2017 period.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to detect the nonlinearity wholesale rice price formation process in Italy in the 1995–2017 period.
Design/methodology/approach
A nonlinear smooth transition autoregressive (STAR)-type dynamics model is used.
Findings
Wholesale rice prices are significantly affected by variations in the international price of rice as well as variations in Arborio price.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations include policy recommendations for the production and commercialization of rice in Italy.
Practical implications
Understanding rice pricing dynamics and nonlinearity behavior is pivotal for the survival of the entire European and Italian rice supply chain.
Originality/value
In the extant literature, no evidence exists on non-linearity of rice prices in Italy.
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Qin Su, Zhao Li, Su‐Xian Zhang, Yuan‐Yuan Liu and Ji‐Xiang Dang
This paper seeks to examine the way quality management practices (QMPs) impact quality outcome, R&D process, and business performance, using investigation data from Chinese firms…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to examine the way quality management practices (QMPs) impact quality outcome, R&D process, and business performance, using investigation data from Chinese firms. The possible moderating effects of industrial types and competition on the above influencing relationships were investigated as well.
Design/methodology/approach
A two‐round questionnaire survey was conducted to 196 manufacturing and service firms in West China, and hypotheses were verified using a structural equation model with LISREL software.
Findings
The results suggest that quality management practices do not have a positive impact on firms' business performance directly, but have an indirect impact on business performance mediated by quality performance and R&D performance. Furthermore, the authors find that industrial type can moderate the relationships between quality management practices and business performance, while competition does not.
Originality/value
The findings make a significant contribution to understanding how QMPs impact firms' performance. In addition, the authors' research provides empirical evidence for the fact that QMPs' contribution to firms' financial and marketing performance is greater in service firms, which partly reflects the actual situation in China and other similar developing countries.
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Laura Obwona Achiro, Venancio Tauringana and Mohammad Alta'any
Hospitals’ corporate governance (CG) mechanisms oversee critical operational issues and evaluate the outcomes. This paper investigates the impact of CG (i.e. board size, board…
Abstract
Purpose
Hospitals’ corporate governance (CG) mechanisms oversee critical operational issues and evaluate the outcomes. This paper investigates the impact of CG (i.e. board size, board independence, board expertise, board meetings, board gender diversity, CEO gender, and academic directors) on the financial performance of English National Health Service (NHS) hospitals and separately by hospital type (i.e. trusts and foundation trusts).
Design/methodology/approach
The sample includes 128 NHS hospitals. The data were collected through document analysis and archival work from annual hospital reports from 2014 to 2018.
Findings
The findings indicate that board expertise, board meetings, board diversity, CEO gender, and academic directors significantly and negatively affect NHS hospitals’ financial performance. For NHS trusts, the results reveal that board expertise, board diversity, and CEO gender have a significant negative effect, while for NHS foundation trusts, only CEO gender has a significant negative impact.
Originality/value
Overall, this study contributes to the literature on the healthcare system. It holds significant practical implications for hospital governance and has important implications for theories.
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Rajesh Kr. Singh, Saroj Koul and Pravin Kumar
In the present scenario of global competition and economic recession, most of the organizations are facing tough challenge to survive in the market because of shortening product…
Abstract
Purpose
In the present scenario of global competition and economic recession, most of the organizations are facing tough challenge to survive in the market because of shortening product life cycle and reducing profit margin. Customers are seeking better design, production and delivery, which have made firms to concentrate on flexibility in supply chains. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify major factors and develop a suitable framework for flexibility in supply chains.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on literature review, about 14 factors have been identified. To develop relationship among these factors, a team of five experts from industry and academia was formed. Based on inputs from experts, different relationships are developed among factors to form structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM). Based on this matrix, a flexibility framework is developed by interpretive structural modelling approach.
Findings
Top management commitment, strategy development for flexible SC, application of advance technology and IT tools, information sharing in SC members, trust development among supply chain members have emerged as major driving factors. Logistics and warehouse management, suppliers flexibility, distribution flexibility and manufacturing flexibility have emerged as dependent factors.
Research limitations/implications
Framework developed in this study is based on interpretive structural modelling. This framework can be further validated with some case analysis and empirical findings.
Originality/value
Findings of the study can be useful for industry professionals to develop strategies for flexible supply chains. It will help them in taking new initiatives for making supply chains more responsive and proactive for customers demand.
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Karel Cool, Matt Seitz, Jason Mestrits, Sona Bajaria and Uday Yadati
Although Google had a stellar performance in Web search, many of its other services, such as Google Video, were less successful. This case describes how YouTube came to dominate…
Abstract
Although Google had a stellar performance in Web search, many of its other services, such as Google Video, were less successful. This case describes how YouTube came to dominate the video market for user-generated content (UGC), while Google Video tried various entry strategies and ultimately failed, ending with the acquisition of YouTube. It also reviews the various competitors in the UGC market, chronicles the entry of established and new players in the area of professionally generated content (PGC), and outlines the key challenges related to monetizing the acquisition of YouTube for Google.
The case discusses when and how to enter winner-take-all markets characterized by very strong network externalities. It focuses on the strategies of new entrants vs. those of incumbents in adjacent industries that seek to leverage their resources and skills. Further, it sheds light on how new industries are created, how convergence is changing competitive forces, how important it is to be a first or late mover in new markets, and how successful entrants may struggle to achieve profitability.
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